Latest Florida Senate poll

[TSIAS]

Mason-Dixon poll (Searching for link)

Betty Castor: 45%
Peter Deutsch: 31%
Alex Penelas: 9%
Undecided: 14%

This poll suggests that Deutch has slightly closed the gap. Last Mason-Dixon poll had Castor up by, I believe, 18 %.

Unless the undecideds break heavily for Deutch, Castor looks to be in position to win next Tuesday's primary.

[David__77]

1. Wow, Panelas never took off, so it seems.

Mind you, I would not be supporting him for the U.S. Senate, but I am surprised at his single-digit polling. I am under the impression that Castor would perform best in the election...

[dolstein]

2. But Castor has been softened up by Deutsch's attacks

Deutsch may not be able to get the nomination, but he sure seems hell-bent on inflicting maximum damage to Castor.

[Thrill]

3. Who has the best chance

to beat Mel Martinez and why? thanks

[trumad]

4. McCollum

and that's what we hope for....

[TSIAS]

5. In the general, I think Castor's the best bet

Deutch and Penelas aren't known much out of South Florida. Of all the candidates, Castor's the only one to have been elected to statewide office. She'll be stronger in the I-4 corridor (Orlando through Sarasota)than either Deutch or Penelas.

The race will depend a lot on who's the GOP nominee. Martinez already has a GOP convention speaking spot lined up if he wins the primary. A lot of money will be put into the race if Martinez is the guy. McCollum would be much easier to beat, IMO. He's already lost one Senate election and might be even be too conservative for some Republicans.

Edit- link to original story

http://www.mason-dixon.com/news_text.cfm?news_id=209

[Awsi Dooger]

9. I severely doubt McCollum can beat Martinez

As you mentioned, McCollum already is stained as a loser to Nelson. The GOP voters will stray from him on that alone.

Plus, in the 2+ weeks I have been in Florida, the state is swamped with Mel Martinez signs, plus that non-stop TV ad with Bush proclaiming, "the American dream is alive and well," and "Mel Martinez is a great American." Makes me want to puke, but I don't see anything comparable in numbers or quality for McCollum.

[TSIAS]

18. You're right

They also released a Republican poll today showing Martinez at 33 and McCollum at 27. McCollum hasn't gained any ground since Martinez entered.

The GOP race has been hilarious. First, we had Bob Smith move from NH and run. Larry Klayman speaks for himself. Then there's Doug (not Tom)Gallagher who's self-financed the race, only to get around 10 %. Karen Saull was my favorite. She was still advertising her "Homestead Exemption" idea long after it was struck down by the courts. I'm seeing signs for her now defunct campaign all around Palm Beach County today.

[Rebel_with_a_cause]

6. Thank you, Al Gore, for your negative comments on Penelas

I can't stand Penelas, either.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

7. I'm Voting For Betty Castor...

Peter Deutsch's negative attacks on other Democrats are pathetic and not worthy of a Democrat

[SW FL Dem]

10. Same here. Betty has our votes. n/t

[TSIAS]

8. Did anyone see the debate tonight?

I forgot about it. Hopefully PBS will re-air it later.

[madfloridian]

11. I just posted a thread here about it.

Take a look. I am really angry. Deutsch went after Castor in the debates. This is out of control.

[TSIAS]

12. I got an email from Castor

She says that Deutch was repeatedly cutting her off during this debate.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

13. Castor ever comment on the election theft? Deutch did I think

Wasn't he all over the tube

[madfloridian]

15. What he is doing now negates any of that.

She is/was a respected university president. She is just plain respected. She was a great commissioner of education. What he is doing now just about negates whatever he did in the past. This is ugly stuff.

[madfloridian]

14. Could you check on the last one? I don't think she was ahead that much.

I will see if I can find it. I know it was double-digit, but more like 11 or something.

[TSIAS]

16. It was 16

This was from July 23.

Betty Castor 37%
Peter Deutsch 21%
Alex Penelas 10%
Undecided 31%

Basically, 2 % more undecideds have gone to Deutch than to Castor over the last month.

[madfloridian]

17. Considering the viciousness of the attack, I guess that is not bad.

It is just overboard. I will quit looking now, thanks.